Explore the world’s best regions for catamaran charters. Tap a pulsing point to discover why each area is ideal for relaxed island-hopping, shallow-water access and comfortable cruising.
Catamarans
Stable and spacious, designed for effortless sailing. Enjoy open living spaces, shallow-water access and relaxed cruising at sea.
What is a Catamaran?
A catamaran is a modern sailing yacht built with two parallel hulls connected by a wide deck, offering exceptional stability and space on the water.
Originally designed for speed and efficiency, today’s catamarans are known for their comfort, making them one of the most popular choices for yacht charters worldwide.
The twin-hull design keeps the boat balanced and minimizes rolling, even in choppy seas, a big advantage for families or guests new to sailing. The wide deck, multiple separate cabins and reduced motion make catamarans the most popular choice for sailing holidays with children, so if you are planning a family charter, read our guide about family-friendly yacht charters.
With no heavy keel, catamarans sit higher on the water and can access shallow lagoons, hidden coves, and beaches that deeper monohulls can’t reach.
Modern builders like
Lagoon,
Fountaine Pajot,
Bali Catamarans, and
Leopard
lead the global market, offering models that combine generous living areas, panoramic saloons, and powerful sailing performance.
Whether under sail or power, a catamaran provides the ideal mix of comfort, stability, and adventure
Catamaran charter options
Known for their stability, space, and comfort, catamarans suit a wide range of sailing styles. Whether you enjoy hands-on sailing or prefer a fully hosted experience, these are the main catamaran charter options to consider.
Bareboat Catamaran
Ideal for qualified skippers who want complete freedom. Sail at your own pace, enjoy generous living space and anchor close to shore thanks to the shallow draft.
Skippered Catamaran
A relaxed option for stress-free sailing. Your skipper handles navigation and local knowledge while you enjoy smooth cruising, swimming stops and onboard comfort.
Crewed Catamaran
A premium, all-inclusive experience. With a professional crew taking care of sailing, service and meals, you can fully relax and enjoy life on the water.
License requirements for Bareboat Catamaran Charters
Most Mediterranean countries require a valid RYA Coastal Skipper, ICC or recognised national sailing certificate for bareboat charters. Croatia additionally requires a VHF radio operator licence. Requirements vary by country and catamaran size. Always confirm with your charter company before booking.
Catamaran charter locations - Worldwide Map
Mediterranean
Caribbean
Indian Ocean
Asia Pacific
Atlantic
South Pacific
Northern Europe
Click or tap any pulsing dot to discover why each region is perfect for catamaran cruising
Best destinations for catamaran charters
Catamarans combine stability, comfort and generous living space, making them ideal for island hopping, shallow anchorages and relaxed cruising. From tropical lagoons to sun-soaked archipelagos, these destinations offer perfect conditions for unforgettable catamaran adventures.
Most popular
Mediterranean
Short sailing distances, calm anchorages and warm weather make the Mediterranean the world's top catamaran charter region, with something for every style of sailor.
- Greece: Perfect for island hopping through the Cyclades, Ionian and Dodecanese, with protected bays and countless swimming stops. Explore Greece →
- Croatia: Calm Adriatic waters, close island spacing and modern ACI marinas create ideal catamaran cruising conditions. Explore Croatia →
- Montenegro: The Bay of Kotor offers calm fjord-like cruising and luxury marina facilities, ideal for larger catamarans.
- Turkey: Long gulfs, sheltered bays and excellent value marinas make the Turquoise Coast one of the Mediterranean's most rewarding catamaran destinations.
- Italy: Sail between Sardinia, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast with spacious anchorages and beautiful coastal scenery.
- Spain (Balearic Islands): Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza offer turquoise coves, easy navigation and excellent catamaran charter infrastructure.
- Malta: Historic harbours, crystal-clear lagoons and a central Mediterranean position make Malta increasingly popular for catamaran charters.
- French Riviera: Premium marina infrastructure, short coastal passages and easy access to Corsica and Sardinia.
Winter season
Caribbean
Warm trade winds, shallow turquoise waters and protected anchorages make the Caribbean a dream catamaran destination, with a peak season running November through May.
- British Virgin Islands: The world's most popular catamaran charter destination, with line-of-sight sailing, calm seas and legendary beach anchorages.
- The Grenadines: Tobago Cays, Bequia and Mustique offer reef-protected waters and spectacular overnight anchorages between Grenada and St Vincent.
- Martinique & Guadeloupe: French-Caribbean culture, well-equipped marinas and excellent provisioning make these ideal starting points for Windward Island itineraries.
- St. Martin & St. Barts: A premium charter area with vibrant beach culture, luxury marinas and easy island hopping between French and Dutch territory.
- Antigua & Barbuda: Steady trade winds, 365 beaches and one of the Caribbean's major sailing capitals with excellent marina facilities.
- Bahamas: Shallow crystal-clear banks and endless secluded cays are perfectly suited to catamarans with shallow draft.
Tropical escape
Indian Ocean
Warm lagoons, coral reefs and remote islands make the Indian Ocean one of the most scenic catamaran cruising regions in the world, with a season typically running May through October.
- Seychelles: Calm waters, dramatic granite islands and short sailing distances between the Inner Islands make this the Indian Ocean's top luxury catamaran destination.
- Maldives: The vast atoll system makes catamarans the ideal vessel here, covering shallow lagoons and snorkelling spots that monohulls can't access.
- Mauritius: Sheltered lagoons and dramatic volcanic scenery combine perfectly with relaxed catamaran cruising and excellent shore-side facilities.
- Zanzibar (Tanzania): A mix of tropical beaches, Swahili culture and quiet anchorages around Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia Island.
- Madagascar: Remote islands, untouched coral reefs and extraordinary wildlife for adventurous catamaran sailors seeking something completely off the beaten track.
Emerging
Asia Pacific & South Pacific
An extraordinary mix of tropical islands, marine biodiversity and warm-weather sailing, from Southeast Asian archipelagos to iconic South Pacific lagoons.
- Thailand (Phuket & Phang Nga Bay): Limestone karst cliffs, calm protected waters and excellent marina facilities make Phuket Southeast Asia's top catamaran base.
- Komodo Islands, Indonesia: Pink beaches, manta rays, Komodo dragons and dramatic volcanic scenery make this one of the world's most extraordinary cruising grounds.
- Raja Ampat, Indonesia: The most biodiverse marine environment on earth, with untouched islands and remote anchorages accessible only by boat.
- Whitsundays, Australia: 74 islands, the Great Barrier Reef and reliable trade winds make this Australia's premier catamaran charter region.
- French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Raiatea): Iconic overwater lagoons, lush volcanic peaks and some of the world's most photographed sailing scenery.
- Fiji: Warm waters, traditional island culture and protected reef systems, with the Mamanuca and Yasawa Island groups offering outstanding cruising.
Adventure cruising
Atlantic Islands
The Atlantic island groups offer year-round catamaran sailing with reliable trade winds, dramatic volcanic scenery and far fewer crowds than the Mediterranean or Caribbean.
- Canary Islands (Spain): Year-round sunshine, consistent northeast trade winds and a growing charter fleet, with Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote as the main bases.
- Cape Verde: Warm, reliable trade winds and uncrowded cruising routes between São Vicente, Santo Antão and Sal, with a small but active charter scene.
- Azores (Portugal): Nine volcanic islands with whale watching, dramatic cliffs and deep Atlantic waters, best suited to experienced sailors seeking adventure beyond standard charter routes.
- Madeira (Portugal): Dramatic Atlantic coastlines, year-round mild climate and a compact but scenic cruising area popular with European sailors.
- Portuguese Coast: The Atlantic coast of Portugal, from Cascais and the Algarve to the Alentejo, connects naturally to the Canaries and Cape Verde as a classic offshore passage route.
Catamaran advantages & considerations
Catamarans are known for their stability, space and relaxed cruising style. They offer a very different experience compared to monohulls or motor yachts, with clear strengths and a few limitations depending on your sailing goals.
When is a catamaran right for you
✓
You want a stable, flat platform with no heeling or seasickness
✓
You're travelling with family, children or a larger group
✓
You want to anchor in shallow lagoons and bays close to shore
✓
You value deck space, privacy between cabins and social cruising
Ideal conditions
- •Calm to moderate seas with steady winds
- •Island-hopping routes with short daily distances
- •Shallow bays, lagoons and protected anchorages
- •Relaxed cruising focused on comfort and space
Best for
- •Families and groups seeking stability and space
- •First-time charterers or non-sailors
- •Social cruising with large outdoor living areas
- •Charters focused on swimming, snorkelling and leisure
Ideal climates
- •Warm, sunny destinations with steady trade winds
- •Tropical and Mediterranean regions
- •Areas with protected waters and coral reefs
- •Destinations favouring lagoon and coastal cruising
Not ideal for
- •Sailors seeking high-performance upwind sailing
- •Very tight marina spaces with limited berth width
- •Charters focused on long offshore passages
- •Those prioritising speed and performance over comfort
Price ranges & costs
Chartering a catamaran is one of the most popular ways to explore islands and coastlines in comfort and stability. Prices vary by size, season, destination and whether you choose bareboat, skippered or crewed.
Other costs to budget for
Crew
€150–300 / day
Per crew member. Often optional on smaller bareboat catamarans.
Fuel
€200–€1,500 / week
Much lower than motor yachts — catamarans sail on wind most of the time.
Marina fees
€80–€500+ / night
Catamarans pay a wider-berth premium at some marinas due to their beam.
Provisioning
€80–€250+ / guest / day
Food, drinks and consumables onboard.
APA
20–30% of charter fee
Advance provisioning allowance, unused funds are refunded. ✱ APA is lower on catamarans than motor yachts as fuel costs are significantly less.
Gratuity
5–15% of charter fee
Customary tip for the crew, paid at end of charter.
Security deposit
€2,000–€8,000+
Held against damage, fully refundable on return.
Prices are indicative averages compiled from 2026 Mediterranean and Caribbean charter listings.
Rates vary by destination, season, yacht age and onboard service level.
Life onboard a catamaran
You wake up to sunlight through the porthole and the boat sitting perfectly flat on the water. No engine hum, no tilting, just calm. Breakfast happens on the cockpit table with coffee and a view you'd normally pay a lot of money for from a hotel. Then someone pulls out the chart, picks a bay and that's your morning sorted.
The space is what surprises people most. The saloon is wide enough that it doesn't feel like a boat. The cockpit fits everyone around one table. Up front, the nets between the hulls become the most popular spot on board, you lie there, sun on your face, watching the sea move underneath you. Most catamarans also come with paddleboards, snorkel gear and a dinghy, so afternoons tend to take care of themselves.
What really sets a catamaran apart is where you can go. The shallow draft means you can anchor in bays that other boats have to skip past. You end up in spots that feel completely private, with clear water, no noise and nobody else around. And in the evening, when the sun goes down and the boat barely moves, you'll understand why people who charter a catamaran once tend to come back and do it again.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before booking a catamaran charter.
Absolutely. Catamarans are naturally stable thanks to their twin hulls, making them one of the best choices for new sailors. The flat, level platform means no seasickness and no unexpected lurching. For added confidence, a skippered charter lets you relax and enjoy the trip while someone else handles the sailing.
For bareboat charters, most locations require a recognised sailing license such as ICC, RYA Coastal Skipper or ASA. Croatia additionally requires a VHF radio operator licence. Requirements vary by country and yacht size, so always confirm with your charter company before booking. No license? A skippered or crewed charter is a stress-free alternative.
Yes, the base charter price is higher than a monohull of similar length. But because catamarans sleep more people comfortably, the per-person cost often works out comparable or even lower when you split it across a group. You also get significantly more living space, privacy and deck area for the money.
For 3 to 4 people, a 40 to 45ft (12 to 14m) catamaran provides ample space for living, dining and sleeping without feeling cramped. For families of 5 or 6, a 45 to 50ft model gives everyone their own cabin and more comfortable shared spaces.
Yes. Catamarans are very stable and stay level even in choppier conditions. They are well suited for coastal cruising and moderate offshore passages. In very rough seas they can pitch more than a deep-keeled monohull, but for typical Mediterranean or Caribbean sailing conditions they are exceptionally comfortable.
Very comfortable. Wide cabins, spacious saloons and multiple bathrooms make living aboard genuinely enjoyable. Each cabin sits in a separate hull, which gives guests a level of privacy you simply don't get on a monohull. The wide beam also means the saloon and cockpit feel much more like a holiday home than a boat.
It requires more attention than a monohull due to the wider beam, but most modern catamarans are fitted with bow thrusters and twin engines that make manoeuvring in marinas very manageable. Tight berths in older or smaller marinas can be trickier, something to check when planning your route.
Much less than motor yachts. Most catamaran cruising is done under sail, keeping fuel costs low. Engines are mainly used for entering and leaving marinas or when the wind drops, making catamarans one of the most cost-efficient and eco-friendly charter options available.
Explore other yacht types
Discover the yacht style that fits your sailing adventure.
Motor Yachts
Fast, luxurious and ideal for covering long distances comfortably, motor yachts are perfect for travelers looking for premium amenities and flexible itineraries.
Monohull Sailboats
Traditional sailing yachts designed for a more authentic sailing experience, popular among experienced sailors and travelers who enjoy performance under sail.
For inquiries, reach us at:
- Email: contact@upandsail.com
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